High-sensitivity-coherent optical frequency-domain reflectometry for characterization of fiber-optic network components

The authors have performed high-sensitivity-coherent optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) measurements of pig-tailed optical devices with centimeter resolution. The oscillations of the Rayleigh backscattering level produced by coherent fading noise was eliminated, strongly improving the capability of OFDR measurements of low level reflections and losses. Sensitivities down to -105 dB were achieved with minute measurement times.<
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